New Discovery Reveals the Mechanism behind the Spread of the MS Gene by Scientists

A team of international scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery about the DNA of ancient teeth and bones which may explain why some diseases are more prevalent in certain parts of Europe than others. They found that genes that once protected our ancestors from animal diseases now increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease where the body's immune cells attack the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms such as muscle stiffness and mobility issues. The researchers describe this finding as a "quantum leap" in understanding the evolution of the disease and believe it could change our understanding of what causes MS and how it is treated. They discovered that genes linked to an increased risk of MS entered north-western Europe around 5,000 years ago through a major migration of cattle herders called Yamnaya. These herders came from western Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan and settled in Europe. The gene variants they carried were beneficial at the time, protecting them from diseases in their livestock. However, with modern lifestyles, diets, and better hygiene practices, these gene variants now increase the risk of developing certain diseases such as MS. The researchers extracted genetic information from ancient human remains found in Europe and Western Asia and compared them with the genes of hundreds of thousands of people living in the UK today. This extensive genetic comparison allowed them to establish a bank of DNA from 5,000 ancient humans, stored in museum collections worldwide, for future research. The discovery has helped "demystify" MS, says Professor Lars Fugger, an author of the study and an MS doctor at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. He explains that MS is not caused by mutations, but rather by normal genes that protect against pathogens. The research suggests that modern immune systems may be more susceptible to autoimmune diseases like MS, where the immune system attacks the body rather than protecting it. Currently, MS treatments focus on targeting the body's immune system, but this can pose a risk of suppressing it too much, leaving patients vulnerable to infections. The team plans to investigate other diseases in ancient DNA to gain further insights into their origins. They have already discovered that Yamnaya herders could also be responsible for northern Europeans being taller than southern Europeans. Furthermore, the study found that different genetic occurrences are associated with various diseases among Europeans. For example, southern Europeans are more likely to develop bipolar disorder, while eastern Europeans are more prone to Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes. Prehistoric hunter-gatherer DNA raises the risk of Alzheimer's, whereas genes from ancient farmers are linked to mood disorders. The researchers also uncovered that humans' ability to digest milk and survive on a plant-based diet emerged around 6,000 years ago. Prior to that, humans were primarily meat-eaters. The study involved comparing DNA from thousands of ancient skeletons found in Eurasia with genetic samples from present-day Europeans.